What is the difference between pigment and reactive printing?

We are often asked about the inks we use so we thought we’d write an explanation here.  There are two ink technologies available for digital printing onto natural fibre fabrics, pigment inks and reactive dyes.

For pigment production we use non-toxic water based pigment inks.  Pigment inks contain the colour (pigments), a binder to attach the ink to the fabric, and water to carry it around.  In pigment printing, the inks effectively sit on top of the fibers, but in cottons its not noticeable to the touch.  The inks are fixed to the fibers by baking.  Pigment inks give a very strong light fastness.  They have in the past a reputation for weaker colour than reactive dyes, but the technology is improving all the time and our latest inks are very close in comparison.  Pigment inks have also had a reputation for poor colour fastness in the wash, but again constant improvements in the technology means our latest inks score a 4/5 in the EN-ISO test 105C10 for fastness to 40°C.

For reactive production we use non-toxic water based dyes that are approved by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).   In reactive printing, the fabrics are pre-coated before printing.   After printing the fabric is steamed, creating a reaction that dyes the fibers right through.  The fabric is then laundered and ironed.  Our reactive fabrics are printed, steamed and laundered in the same production line reducing as much as possible the energy and water consumption.  Because they are steamed and laundered as part of the finishing the reactive dyes have a very good colour fastness when washing.  Reactive dyes are better for finer fabrics like silk as they are less prone to bleeding than pigments;  because they dye the fibres right through reactive inks are great for silk scarves.

So pigment production is probably more environmentally friendly, as there is less energy consumption and waste water in the finishing process.  Because the inks are increasingly catching up with reactives on colour and fastness, the industry is seeing a move towards pigments.  But reactives remain important, especially on finer fabrics.  This is why at Elobina, we offer you both!

Mr Jack(GM)

We woven fabrics manufacturer from china over 16 years,we weave/dye/print ourselves.

Any woven fabrics inquiries please contact us 

We supply one-stop full series woven fabrics service.

Mob/whatsapp/wechat:+8615988150362 

Mail: director@sixdragontextile.com

Hangzhou Six Dragon Textile Co.,ltd

  http://www.sixdragontextile.com